Ohio food program serves up meals, snacks for children during summer recess

As schools close for the summer, some students might not have access to a nutritious meal at home.
That’s why the federal Summer Food Service Program administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture operates at nearly 1,700 sites in Ohio through the Ohio Department of Education..
Statewide, more than 630,000 children qualified and utilized free or reduced-price school lunches during the 2012-2013 school year, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said June 11 during a news conference call with statewide media.
Brown, D-Ohio, along with Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Ohio Association of Foodbanks executive director, discussed the importance of the program and to raise awareness that it is available.
During the school year, the National School Lunch Program provides free, nutritious meals to children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level and reduced-price lunches between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level.
Similarly, the Summer Food Service Program provides free meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need throughout the summer months when they are out of school.
Local programs are run by approved sponsors, including school districts, local government agencies, camps, or private nonprofit organizations.
“Summer break shouldn’t mean a break from good nutrition.” Brown said. “That’s where the Summer Food Service Program steps in.”
Now that most schools have begun summer recess, food pantries and agencies across the state hear more from people who have a significant need for food services, Hamler-Fugitt said.
“Some families depend heavily on food programs through schools, but don’t have the resources during the summer months,” she said. “We must do all we can not only to raise awareness about the availability of summer food programs, but also our parents need to know where they are located.”
The most up-to-date list of summer feeding sites throughout the summer is available on the Ohio Department of Education website. People can search the website by county or zip code or may call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE.

Summer Food Service Program local sites open to the public
Sponsor: Cleveland Foodbank
Painesville: Catalyst Ministry, Inc., 200 Sanders Ave., open through Aug. 2, lunch served at noon Monday through Friday
Bainbridge Township: Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, 7060 Woodland Ave., open June 17 through Aug. 9 each Monday through Friday breakfast served at 9 a.m., lunch at noon.

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